Murray would be a welcome guest at familiar party venue

I'm sure you, too, are feeling a little lethargic after another busy week at work, therefore I'm sorry to break the news during your commute home that the luxury of a lie-in isn't an option on Sunday.

This is it, the weekend that the title can be won and if you want to see Sebastian Vettel become the youngest ever back-to-back F1 World Champion you'll need an alarm as the action unfolds live on the BBC from 6am on Sunday.

Despite the need for strong coffee at such an hour, this remains an historic place for the title to be decided.

The champion has been crowned here on 11 separate occasions and each time one very special man has been integral to the action - Murray Walker. In 1989, it was Senna v Prost for the title and Prost was leading with just two races to go. The circus arrived in Japan and Alain made it clear that if neither McLaren finished the race then that would suit him just fine. Lap 46, Ayrton lunges down the inside of his great rival, they touch and it's the moment that secures Prost the title.

It was incredible to watch but the commentary brought it alive as Murray announced "Oh my goodness, this is fantastic . . . this is what we were fearing".

Twelve months later, same place, same situation. However, this time it was Senna leading the way and once again the man leading the title battle promised he'd give no quarter.

This time, it was at the very start that the drama unfolded and Murray exclaimed: "It's happened again, it's incredible, but . . . predictable!" It was high drama indeed and again Murray pitched it just perfectly.

But it was six years later when Murray delivered one of his greatest ever lines. The season had started brilliantly for Damon Hill as he won four of the first five races, although the dominance wasn't to last. He started to struggle and by the time we got to the final race in Japan he hadn't won for four races and it was between him and Jacques Villeneuve for the title.

However, Villeneuve didn't make the finish after losing a wheel and Damon won the race and the title as Murray summed up the mood of the nation with the line "and I have to stop now because I have a lump in my throat".

In the post-race interview, Damon returned the favour by admitting that as he was driving he could hear Murray commentating in his head - I doubt even he would have imagined just how perfectly Murray had called it.

And now, 15 years later we're back and again it's a title-decider as Vettel, who crashed during the opening practice session today, needs just one point to guarantee him the title.

So, good luck getting up at such an early hour to enjoy the action. Murray might not be here in the commentary box anymore but I'd bet my mortgage on him being the first person on the sofa come Sunday morning.

He has been in love with F1 since its birth in 1950, he's as passionate and enthusiastic as ever and I wish you a happy 88th Birthday for Monday, Murray!